Jeremiah Jones Memorial Statue

Jeremiah A. (Jerry) Jones - Private, Royal Canadian Regiment, First World War (1858-1950) Jerry Jones volunteered for military service on June 16, 1916. He lied about his age to be eligible for enlistment, stating that he was 39 years old when in fact he was 58 years of age. This at a time when much of the military brass, as well as many politicians felt "...Coloreds would not make good soldiers...". Mr. Jones would soon prove wrong those who doubted the bravery, courage, and devotion to duty of African-Canadians serving in the military. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an action for which the valour of Canadian soldiers in general is famous, Jerry Jones' actions would stand out from the rest. During the battle, Canadian troops were pinned down by German machine gun fire. Private Jones volunteered to attempt to silence the German gun emplacement; he was able to approach the machine gun nest and toss a hand grenade into the German position, killing several of the enemy soldiers. The remaining Germans then surrendered to Private Jones, who then forced his captives to carry their machine gun back across the battlefield to the Canadian lines and deposit it at his command officer's feet. For this act of heroism Jones was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, an award for valour, second only to the Victoria Cross. Private Jones was wounded during this action and he returned to Truro, where he lived until his passing in 1950. Unfortunately, due to the military, political and social attitudes of the time, Mr. Jones was never awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for which he was recommended and so rightfully deserved. This statue was sculpted out of a tree by Bruce Wood.